Research in Psychology

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:10.00

Study Course Accepted:10.08.2023 14:52:27

Study Course Information
Course Code:		VPUPK_278		LQF level:		Level 6
Credit Points:		4.00		ECTS:		6.00
Branch of Science:		Psychology		Target Audience:		Psychology
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Kristīne Šneidere
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Riga, 5 J. Asara Street, vppkrsu[pnkts]lv, +37167061587
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		19	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		38
Classes (count)		17	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		34
Total Contact Hours								72
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		12	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		24
Classes (count)		10	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		20
Total Contact Hours								44
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Introduction to professional work, general psychology.
Objective:
To promote students' understanding of research in social sciences, stages, and basic principles of psychology research; to improve the ability to select, summarise and analyse published research on a particular topic; to develop the ability to prepare, justify and execute a study in psychology in accordance with the basic principles of research and to present it; to provide an opportunity to acquire knowledge of the basics of statistical data processing in psychology research; to acquaint with statistical methods and their application possibilities; to develop skills to process and analyze data obtained in psychological research and to interpret results.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Introductory questions. Scientific and non-scientific research. Pseudo-science. Science and clinical practice. Evidence-based practice. Scientific activities: science, research, innovation.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
2	Research in psychology: basic concepts – variable, measurement, sampling, population. Statistical relationships between variables. Research question, scientific literature.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
3	Psychological measurements. Measurement scales. Reliability and validity of psychological measurement.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
4	Legal and ethical aspects of the study. Moral principles and code of ethics in research. Informed consent, debriefing, academic integrity.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		2.00	E-Studies platform
5	Theory in psychological research.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
6	Formulating a research idea. Selection of the scientific literature sources.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
7	Quantitative design studies. Data acquisition in quantitative studies.			Lectures		2.00	E-Studies platform
8	Qualitative research design.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
9	Mixed-methods study.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
10	Systematic review and its types.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
11	Applying mathematical statistics in psychology research.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
12	Descriptive statistics indicators.			Lectures		1.00	computer room
				Classes		2.00	computer room
13	Inferential statistics. Atšķirību pārbaude.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		2.00	computer room
14	Inferential statistics: correlations.			Lectures		1.00	computer room
				Classes		2.00	computer room
15	Multivariate statistics. Regression anaysis. Factor analysis and principal component analysis.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		2.00	E-Studies platform
16	Publication and presentation of research results.			Lectures		2.00	E-Studies platform
17	Research project seminaries			Classes		4.00	auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Introductory questions. Scientific and non-scientific research. Pseudo-science. Science and clinical practice. Evidence-based practice. Scientific activities: science, research, innovation.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	Research in psychology: basic concepts – variable, measurement, sampling, population. Statistical relationships between variables. Research question, scientific literature.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
3	Psychological measurements. Measurement scales. Reliability and validity of psychological measurement.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
4	Legal and ethical aspects of the study. Moral principles and code of ethics in research. Informed consent, debriefing, academic integrity.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
5	Theory in psychological research.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
6	Formulating a research idea. Selection of the scientific literature sources.			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
7	Quantitative design studies. Data acquisition in quantitative studies.			Lectures		3.00	E-Studies platform
8	Qualitative research design.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
9	Mixed-methods study.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
10	Systematic review and its types.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
11	Applying mathematical statistics in psychology research.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
12	Descriptive statistics indicators.			Lectures		0.50	computer room
				Classes		1.00	computer room
13	Inferential statistics. Atšķirību pārbaude.			Lectures		0.50	computer room
				Classes		1.00	computer room
14	Inferential statistics: correlations.			Lectures		0.50	computer room
				Classes		1.00	computer room
15	Multivariate statistics. Regression anaysis. Factor analysis and principal component analysis.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
16	Publication and presentation of research results.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
17	Research project seminaries			Classes		2.00	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
To read the literature sources indicated. To independently watch videolectures and pass the self-check tasks before the practical class on the topic. Conduct a pilot study in psychology After finishing the course, fill the course evaluation survey.
Assessment Criteria:
The final assessment will consist of a cumulative assessment of performance in each of the tasks: (1) test on the topics acquired in lectures – 20% 0 – 30% of correct answers – test is not passed 40 – 100% correct answers – the test is passed (2) Self-check tasks – 20% All self-check tasks are passed - the mean average mark is awarded; Not all self-check tasks are passed - task is failed (3) Pilot study (60%) a) The work does not comply with the instruction or the work has not been submitted - 1 - 3 points (failed) b) The work complies with the instruction, academic language is used, the principles of academic text are used; however, some aspects of the work are incomplete. Overall, the requirements of the task are completed, but the understanding of the concepts is insufficient (4 - 6 points, passed) c) The work complies with the instruction, academic language is used, the principles of academic text are used. All requirements of the course are overall or completely done (7 - 9 points, passed). d) The work complies with the instruction, all parts of the work are completed, academic language is used, the principles of academic text are used. The work indicates an ability to do independent research and shows an in-depth understanding of research (10 points, passed). According to RSU Study Regulations I 3.9. point, practical class attendance is mandatory and is recorded. At the end of each practical class, the student additionally submits a worksheet filled in according to the criteria indicated in the e-environment and, if the criteria are met, receives the grade "passed"
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):		Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Students use research terminology; explain the differences between the qualitative and quantitative research strategy and the various research designs; describe the methods of data acquisition and analysis.
Skills:		Students identify topical problems of research in psychology; select, analyse, compare and critically evaluate published research in psychology; analyse the strengths and limitations of research; correctly input and process the data and analyse statistical indicators, draw correct conclusions; define research questions appropriate for the purpose of the study and select correct methods for data acquisition and processing.
Competencies:		Students work with scientific literature, correctly read and argue about the data presented in the articles. Students execute a pilot study, justifying the topicality of the research; define the goal, research question/hypothesis; create a targeted literature review, choose suitable data acquisition and analysis methods, integrate ethical requirements into own study.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Mārtinsone K., & Pipere A. (red.) (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: Starpdisciplināra perspektīva. RSU izdevniecība.
2	Goodwin, K., A. (2018). Research in Psychology: Methods and Design. Wiley Custom.
Additional Reading
1	Pētniecības terminu vārdnīca.
2	Zinātniskie raksti no Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Ebsco u.c. datu bāzēm.